IELTS Reading Test
GENERAL
PRESENTATION
2 TYPES OF MODULES : ACADEMIC OR
GENERAL TRAINING
TYPES OF QUESTIONS
CONCLUSION
TEST
Introduction
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The Reading module takes 60 minutes
There are 40 questions
Based on three reading passages with a total of 2000
words.
2 types of Reading Test : Academic or General
Training Reading.
They both have the same format.
All answers must be entered on an answer sheet.
No extra time is allowed for transferring answers.
Academic Reading
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Ready for University?
Admission based on results
General training Reading
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Not designed to test full range of formal
language skills required for academic
purposes
emphasise basic survival skills in a broad
social and educational context.
for candidates going to English speaking
countries
to complete their secondary education,
to undertake work experience or training
programmes not at degree level,
or for immigration purposes to Australia,
Canada and New Zealand.
Types of questions
There are 10 different types of questions:
1. Multiple choice.
2. Short answer questions.
3. Sentence completion questions.
4. Notes, table, form, summary, flow chart.
5. Yes, no, not given or True, false, not given.
6. Classification questions.
7. Matching.
8. Choosing headings.
9. Scanning, identifying location or information.
10. Labelling a diagram which has numbered parts.
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Multiple choice
Multiple choice questions can test
Global understanding of the text or
ask for specific, more detailed information.
3 different types:
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Type 1. Where there is one possible answer.
Type 2. Where there are multiple answers for only one
mark.
Type 3. Where there are multiple answers and one
mark for each.
Multiple choice – example Type 1.
Multiple choice – example
Type 2.
Multiple choice – Type 3.
2. Short answer questions.
These questions will usually tell you to write
answers in NO MORE THAN THREE
WORDS. So you can answer with one, two or
three words but no more. Two types:
 Type 1. Questions.
 Type 2. Lists.
Short answer questions –
example Type 1.
Short answer questions –
example Type 2.
3. Sentence completion questions.
4. Notes, table, form, summary, flow
chart
These questions ask for specific
Information. Two types:
Type 1. With the selection of possible
answers. Words or phrases provided will
be different from the words in the text.
More words than gaps.
Type 2. Without the choice of possible
answers. To write the answers in no
more than three words.
Notes, table, form, summary, flow
chart, diagram – example Type 1.
Notes, table, form, summary, flow
chart, diagram – example Type 2.
5. Yes, no, not given or True,
false, not given.
These tasks either ask you to identify the
writer’s views or claims in the text or
identify information in the text. 2 types:
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Type 1. Yes, no, not given answers,
Type 2. True, false, not given answers.
Yes, no, not given or True,
false, not given – example Type1.
Yes, no, not given or True,
false, not given – example Type2.
6. Classification questions.
These questions ask to classify information
given in the reading text. Ask to identify a
letter which represents one of the
classifications for each item in a list of
statements.
Classification questions - example.
7. Matching.
These questions require you to match a list of
options to sources mentioned in the text.
They are used with texts which present a
number of different people’s opinions.
There can be more options than sources.
Matching - example.
8. Choosing headings.
There are 2 types:
 Type 1. Choosing headings for paragraphs or
sections of a text. (this question requires you
to sum up the meaning of a paragraph)
 Type 2. Choosing a heading for the whole
text. (this question requires you to sum up the
meaning of a whole text)
Choosing headings – example Type 1.
Choosing headings – example Type 2.
9. Scanning, identifying location
or information.
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These questions require you to scan the text
to find the location of information.
10. Labelling a diagram which
has numbered parts.
You will be given a diagram and asked to
label words from the text or labels given.
Labelling a diagram which
has numbered parts – example.
Tips
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Read the instructions carefully
Read the questions first but not always the options –
can be good to predict first
Skim / scan as appropriate (general / detailed)
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Pay special attention to subheadings, first sentences of
paragraphs
Names, numbers stick out
Don’t read everything!
Predict answers for gaps – make sure answers fit
logically…
…as well as grammatically
Stuck? Move on to easier one – don’t waste time